The
Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce will recognize 10 area
individuals and businesses at its annual Chamber Awards Gala, Friday,
May 17, at the Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston.

In
addition to the tributes, the annual event will feature an evening of
live music, a silent auction, table wines donated by local wineries
and businesses, and hors d'oeuvres followed by a sit-down dinner.

Chairman's
Award: Artpark & Company

Artpark
& Company was chosen as the 2013 Chairman's Award by the
Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce board of directors and
Chairman Richard J. Haight.

The
mission of Artpark & Company is to produce and present excellence
in the performing and visual arts, and create unique cultural
experiences in a casual, natural setting. Artistic talent is nurtured
and allowed to flourish in an atmosphere that is entertaining,
educational and interactive for Artpark visitors.

Lewiston
has become a premier summertime destination for Western New York and
Southern Ontario, and Artpark & Company is one of the main
reasons people flock to the village. Thanks to diverse programming -
ranging from classic rock music to "Big Band," children's
activities to art installations, indie bands to Broadway musicals -
Artpark has drawn large audiences since its inaugural 1974 season.

This
year marks the celebration of Artpark's 40th anniversary, and the
season promises to be one full of quality entertainment and
excitement.

Since
1999, under the leadership of President George Osborne, Artpark has
reinvented itself and become an elite performing and visual arts
facility in the region.

When
Osborne and board members arrived at Artpark, the venue had a
substantial deficit. Osborne and the board of directors worked
together to trim costs, eliminate waste and redundancy, and
concentrate on developing programs that would be self-sustaining.

With
attendance at the park at an all-time low, Osborne introduced the
concept of a free concert series, exclusively using local bands and
placing an emphasis on ethnic food themes. This concept eventually
led to the exceptionally successful "Tuesday in the Park" concert
series.

In
2004, it became necessary for safety reasons to demolish the "Art
El" wooden structure, which was the center of most visual arts and
crafts, family activities and camps in the park. Now in the footprint
of the old "Art El" stands the newly renovated Outdoor
Amphitheater, a showcase for the "Tuesday in the Park" and Coors
Light Wednesdays at Artpark" concerts.

A
series of new buildings were erected last summer to offer increased
access to refreshments and bathroom facilities. An additional
structure to house the rapidly expanding visual arts and family
programs is expected to be completed this summer.

Artpark's
current strategic planning committee is exploring ways to bring even
more people to the park by developing programs that will utilize
every acre of land. This includes improvements in the woods, more
historical signage, upgraded trails and landscaping, and better use
of the gorge and its views. Extending the length of the season in the
theater is also being considered as avenues for improved air movement
are being explored.

Artpark
is a driving economic force to the Village and Town of Lewiston, as
well as the entire region. Event-related spending by the 220,000-plus
patrons who attended the 2012 season generated an economic impact of
$10.7 million. Patrons spend time in the village, before and after
the programs, at local restaurants, retail businesses and
accommodations.

Artpark
spends $1.4 million in the local and regional area for services,
equipment, supplies and advertising. It cooperates with many local
organizations to enhance its offerings, including the BPO, University
at Buffalo, Buffalo State College and Niagara University.

The
busy Artpark season is supported by a dedicated team of more than 245
volunteers of all ages, who provide more than 7,800 hours of service.
Volunteers are used inside the theater, as well as at outdoor
concerts and Saturday family events. Ten full-time employees are part
of the administrative staff, and the busy summer season results in up
to 200 part-time and contracted personnel.

Through
2017, Artpark & Company Inc. is in a licensing agreement with New
York to manage the programming at the state park. The property is
owned by the New York Power Authority and leased to the New York
State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on a
long-term basis. State Parks maintains the buildings and grounds.

The
chairman and the board of directors of the Niagara River Region
Chamber of Commerce proudly congratulate Osborne and Artpark &
Company for 40 years of service and dedication to the Niagara River
Region. The NRRCC looks forward to another 40 years.

River
Region Partnership Award: Tedesco Construction Services Inc.

Tedesco
Construction Services Inc. has been chosen as the 2013 River Region
Partnership Award recipient. The honor was created to recognize a
business that supports the chamber's mission of business
development, improving quality of life, and the history and culture
of the region, while actively participating in chamber initiatives.

Jeff
Tedesco, president of Tedesco Construction Services Inc., is the
second generation of owners and management personnel of the former
Frontier Metal Buildings Inc. of Niagara Falls (incorporated in
1973). His team, including son and Vice President Justin Tedesco (the
third generation of management), specialize in the design and
construction of pre-engineered metal building systems as well as all
aspects of management for general construction projects.

With
experience, knowledge, integrity, expertise, flexibility and more
than 275 projects completed, Tedesco Construction Services is ranked
among the top 75 metal building contractors in the country.

Tedesco
Construction Services has built and managed structures for casinos,
firehalls, churches and other non-residential local and national
buildings with Varco Pruden buildings, spanning across the country.
Current projects include work spread across five different states.

While
expanding the footprint of the company is a constant goal, using
local vendors and local businesses is a priority. Tedesco
Construction Services employs a staff of six and uses local
architects and engineers whenever possible.

Jeff
and Justin are both involved in many business and community
organizations. They provide support to local organizations that work
to create a better community. This includes the Historic Lewiston
Jazz Festival, Historical Association of Lewiston, the Chamber of
Commerce, the J-Mill scholarship program, Mount St. Mary's Hospital
and Health Center, The Boys & Girls Club of Niagara,
Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, Kiwanis Club of Lewiston (Peach
Festival) and the Lewiston-Porter Alumni Association.

Jeff
is also the announcer for all home modified, junior varsity and
varsity Lew-Port football games, and Justin volunteers as an
assistant varsity baseball coach at Lewiston-Porter High School.

The
Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce proudly congratulates
Tedesco Construction Services, the 2013 River Region Partnership
Award recipient, for service and dedication to the community.

Lewiston
Business of the Year:

The Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q. and Tin Pan
Alley

The
Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q. and Tin Pan Alley have been chosen as the
2013 Lewiston Business of the Year by the Lewiston Advisory
Committee. The restaurants, located within three blocks of one
another in the Village of Lewiston, are owned and operated by Ken
Bryan and Eric Matthews. The business partners run both locations
seven days a week.

The
two popular businesses were chosen as recipients of the Business of
the Year Award in 2007, just two years after the owners opened The
Brickyard. Fellow Lewiston businesses voted them as this year's
recipient as their commitment to the community, quality service and
dedication to arts, non-profit and civic organizations is well
recognized and has grown immensely over the years.

Both
The Brickyard and Tin Pan are highly recommended places to dine in
Lewiston, and many residents and visitors come back time and again
for the great food, atmosphere and service.

Both
Bryan and Matthews graduated from Lewiston-Porter and Niagara
University, and have been friends since college. Bryan first attended
Niagara County Community College and focused his education on
culinary arts, then transferred to NU. Matthews's area of study was
management and marketing.

They
are true supporters of local organizations and help out however they
can to raise funds and cut costs for many. Opportunities Unlimited,
the Lewiston Kiwanis Club, Niagara University, the Lewiston Council
on the Arts, the Historical Association of Lewiston and Habitat for
Humanity are just a few groups that appreciate all they have done.
Their commitment to the community is proven by their involvement.

Between
the two businesses, Bryan and Matthews employ more than 75 people.
Some of their employees have been with them since day one.

Gloria
Baker, branch manager of First Niagara Bank in Lewiston, nominated
them to receive this award.

"First
by opening Tin Pan Alley 18 years ago, and then again with the
complete renovation and opening of The Brickyard 10 years later,
Bryan and Matthews have worked tirelessly over the years to make both
establishments highly successful. Having happy and loyal employees
shows their work ethic, and it is one we should all strive to
attain," she said.

The
Brickyard, located at 432 Center St., has a menu focused on
wood-fired cooking, with the highest quality ingredients. Its
barbecue is slow smoked with a blend of hickory and fruitwoods for up
to 14 hours in an authentic wood pit barbecue smoker.

The
restaurant's outdoor patio has recently been expanded, and now
features a second-story patio. The pub and restaurant is a popular
place for both visitors and locals.

Tin
Pan Alley, located at 775 Cayuga St., attracts a loyal customer base
with an all-American menu. Bryan and Matthews have operated Tin Pan
since 1994 and have kept a steady clientele year round.

Both
locations also feature live music, banquet and catering options.

The
Lewiston Advisory Committee and the Chamber of Commerce congratulate
Ken and Eric with The Brickyard and Tin Pan Alley as the 2013
Lewiston Business of the Year.